Stabilizer Boots

ABSTRACT

In the specification and drawings, an outsole is described and shown with a lateral support protruding from the lateral edge of the toe half of the body of the outsole.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to outsoles for stabilizer boots.

2. Description of Related Art

Surfing is a sport above the water surface in which a surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore. Besides having to balance on the surfboard and guide it as it tilts, plunges, lifts and changes direction during surfing, the surfer must also fight to keep from slipping around on and falling off of the slick wet board. Since such skill requires excellent active strength of the muscles in the surfer's ankles, there is a very real risk of ankle sprain while surfing if the mobility and flexibility of the surfer's ankles are not good enough.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an outsole includes a body and a lateral support. The body has a toe half and a heel half. The toe half has a lateral edge. The lateral support protrudes from the lateral edge of the toe half of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, and a distance between the frontmost point of the lateral support and the toe end along the lengthwise direction of the body is optionally about 0-15 percent of the total length of the body

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, the lateral support has a total length defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support along the lengthwise direction of the body, and the total length of the lateral support is optionally about 20-50 percent of the total length of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, the lateral support has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, and the total width of the lateral support is optionally about 10-28 percent of the total width of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the lateral support optionally protrudes toward a ground plane where the body is designed to be in direct contact.

In one or more embodiments, the lateral support is optionally positioned to restrain the body from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6°.

In one or more embodiments, the body is optionally full-toe or split-toe. In one or more embodiments, a stabilizer boot optionally includes the aforementioned outsole and a vamp. The vamp is optionally combined with the outsole to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer.

In one or more embodiments, the stabilizer boot optionally includes a shoe tube. The shoe tube is optionally combined with the vamp to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an outsole includes a body and a lateral support. The body has a toe end, a heel end, and proximal and distal halves. The proximal and distal halves are between the toe end and the heel end, and the proximal and distal halves are respectively proximal and distal to the toe end of the body. The proximal half has a lateral edge. The lateral support protrudes from the lateral edge of the proximal half of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, and a distance between the frontmost point of the lateral support and the toe end along the lengthwise direction of the body is optionally about 0-15 percent of the total length of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, the lateral support has a total length defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support along the lengthwise direction of the body, and the total length of the lateral support is optionally about 20-50 percent of the total length of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the body has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, the lateral support has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, and the total width of the lateral support is optionally about 10-28 percent of the total width of the body.

In one or more embodiments, the lateral support optionally protrudes toward a ground plane where the body is designed to be in direct contact.

In one or more embodiments, the lateral support is optionally positioned to restrain the body from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6°.

In one or more embodiments, the body is optionally full-toe or split-toe.

In one or more embodiments, a stabilizer boot optionally includes the aforementioned outsole and a vamp. The vamp is optionally combined with the outsole to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer.

In one or more embodiments, the stabilizer boot optionally includes a shoe tube. The shoe is optionally combined with the vamp to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an outsole according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a stabilizer boot including the outsole of FIG. 1, wherein the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 identifies the location of the sectional view of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3-5 are front views of the stabilizer boot including the outsole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an outsole according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a stabilizer boot including the outsole of FIG. 6, wherein the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 identifies the location of the sectional view of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8-10 are front views of the stabilizer boot including the outsole of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically depicted in order to simplify the drawings.

Embodiment I

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an outsole 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The outsole 100 includes a body 110 and a lateral is support 120. The body 110 has a toe half 113 and a heel half 115. The toe half 113 has a lateral edge 116 and a medial edge 118 opposite the lateral edge 116. The lateral support 120 protrudes from the lateral edge 116 of the toe half 113 of the body 110.

In FIG. 1, the body 110 is full-toe and has a toe end 112 and a heel end 114. The toe half 113 and the heel half 115 are between the toe end 112 and the heel end 114. The toe half 113 is proximal to the toe end 112 of the body 110 and/or is distal to the heel end 114 of the body 110. The heel half 115 is distal to the toe end 112 of the body 110 and/or is proximal to the heel end 114 of the body 110.

In FIG. 1, the body 110 has a total length LS defined between the toe end 112 and the heel end 114 of the body 110, and a distance L1 between the frontmost point of the lateral support 120 and the toe end 112 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110 is about 0-15 percent of the total length LS of the body 110.

Furthermore, the lateral support 120 has a total length LP defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support 120 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110, and the total length LP of the lateral support 120 is about 20-50 percent of the total length LS of the body 110.

Moreover, a distance L2 between the backmost point of the lateral support 120 and the heel end 114 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110 is about the total length LS of the body 110 minus a sum of the distance L1 and the total length LP of the lateral support 120.

In addition, the body 110 has a total width WS measured at the widest part of the outsole 100, the lateral support 120 has a total width WP measured at the widest part of the outsole 100, and the total width WP of the lateral support 120 is about 10-28 percent of the total width WS of the body 110.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a stabilizer boot including the outsole 100 of FIG. 1, wherein the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 identifies the location of the sectional view of FIG. 2. FIGS. 3-5 are front views of the stabilizer boot including the outsole 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the stabilizer boot may include the aforementioned outsole 100, a vamp 130 and a shoe tube 140. The lateral support 120 protrudes toward a ground plane, e.g. the top surface of a surfboard, where the body 110 is designed to be in direct contact. The vamp 130 is combined with the outsole 100 to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer, i.e. to form the stabilizer boot. In the present embodiment, the vamp 130 is full-toe. The shoe tube 140 is combined with the vamp 130 to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 4, when the wearer wears the stabilizer boot to perform surfing, the lateral support 120 can restrain the body 110 from overturning the foot of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 5, even if a greater unbalanced state is applied, the lateral support 120 can still restrain the body 110 from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6° (as indicated by the angle between the normal lines γ0, γ1 of the body 110 as well as the angle of between the tangent lines β0, β1 of the body 110, wherein a positive value means that the body 110 is turned laterally, and a negative value means that the body 110 is turned medially) and hence prevents the wearer from suffering an ankle sprain.

Furthermore, the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 has a greater area in contact with the ground, e.g. a surfboard, thereby reducing the possibility of side slide. When the wearer wears the stabilizer boot to perform surfing, reducing the possibility of side slide means that the surfboard handling is enhanced. Moreover, since the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 has a greater area in contact with the ground, e.g. a surfboard, the forefoot of the wearer can suffer less stress in activities. In addition, the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 can provide excellent forefoot coverage and support.

Embodiment II

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an outsole 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The outsole 100 includes a body 110 and a lateral support 120. The body 110 has a toe half 113 and a heel half 115. The toe half 113 has a lateral edge 116 and a medial edge 118 opposite the lateral edge 116. The lateral support 120 protrudes from the lateral edge 116 of the toe half 113 of the body 110.

In FIG. 6, the body 110 is split-toe and has a toe end 112 and a heel end 114. The toe half 113 and the heel half 115 are between the toe end 112 and the heel end 114. The toe half 113 is proximal to the toe end 112 of the body 110 and/or is distal to the heel end 114 of the body 110. The heel half 115 is distal to the toe end 112 of the body 110 and/or is proximal to the heel end 114 to of the body 110.

In FIG. 6, the body 110 has a total length LS defined between the toe end 112 and the heel end 114 of the body 110, and a distance L1 between the frontmost point of the lateral support 120 and the toe end 112 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110 is about 0-15 percent of the total length LS of the body 110.

Furthermore, the lateral support 120 has a total length LP defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support 120 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110, and the total length LP of the lateral support 120 is about 20-50 percent of the total length LS of the body 110.

Moreover, a distance L2 between the backmost point of the lateral support 120 and the heel end 114 along the lengthwise direction L of the body 110 is about the total length LS of the body 110 minus a sum of the distance L1 and the total length LP of the lateral support 120.

In addition, the body 110 has a total width WS measured at the widest part of the outsole 100, the lateral support 120 has a total width WP measured at the widest part of the outsole 100, and the total width WP of the lateral support 120 is about 10-28 percent of the total width WS of the body 110.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a stabilizer boot including the outsole 100 of FIG. 6, wherein the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 identifies the location of the sectional view of FIG. 7. FIGS. 8-10 are front views of the stabilizer boot including the outsole 100 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the stabilizer boot may include the aforementioned outsole 100, a vamp 130 and a shoe tube 140. The lateral support 120 protrudes toward a ground plane, e.g. the top surface of a surfboard, where the body 110 is designed to be in direct contact. The vamp 130 is combined with the outsole 100 to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer, i.e. to form the stabilizer boot. In the present embodiment, the vamp 130 is split-toe. The shoe tube 140 is combined with the vamp 130 to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 9, when the wearer wears the stabilizer boot to perform surfing, the lateral support 120 can restrain the body 110 from overturning the foot of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 10, even if a greater unbalanced state is applied, the lateral support 120 can still restrain the body 110 from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6° (as indicated by the angle between the normal lines γ0, γ1 of the body 110 as well as the angle of between the tangent lines β0, β1 of the body 110, wherein a positive value means that the body 110 is turned laterally, and a negative value means that the body 110 is turned medially) and hence prevents the wearer from suffering an ankle sprain.

Furthermore, the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 has a greater area in contact with the ground, e.g. a surfboard, thereby reducing the possibility of side slide. When the wearer wears the stabilizer boot to perform surfing, reducing the possibility of side slide means that the surfboard handling is enhanced. Moreover, since the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 has a greater area in contact with the ground, e.g. a surfboard, the forefoot of the wearer can suffer less stress in activities. In addition, the outsole 100 having the lateral support 120 can provide excellent forefoot coverage and support.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with his specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, 6th paragraph. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, 6th paragraph. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An outsole comprising: a body having a toe half and a heel half, wherein the toe half has a lateral edge; and a lateral support protruding from the lateral edge of the toe half of the body.
 2. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, and a distance between the frontmost point of the lateral support and the toe end along the lengthwise direction of the body is about 0-15 percent of the total length of the body.
 3. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, the lateral support has a total length defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support along the lengthwise direction of the body, and the total length of the lateral support is about 20-50 percent of the total length of the body.
 4. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the body has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, the lateral support has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, and the total width of the lateral support is about 10-28 percent of the total width of the body.
 5. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the lateral support protrudes toward a ground plane where the body is designed to be in direct contact.
 6. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the lateral support is positioned to restrain the body from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6°.
 7. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the body is full-toe or split-toe.
 8. A stabilizer boot comprising: the outsole of claim 1; and a vamp combined with the outsole to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer.
 9. The stabilizer boot of claim 8, further comprising: a shoe tube combined with the vamp to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer.
 10. An outsole comprising: a body having a toe end, a heel end, and proximal and distal halves between the toe end and the heel end, wherein the proximal and distal halves are respectively proximal and distal to the toe end of the body, and the proximal half has a lateral edge; and a lateral support protruding from the lateral edge of the proximal half of the body.
 11. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, and a distance between the frontmost point of the lateral support and the toe end along the lengthwise direction of the body is about 0-15 percent of the total length of the body.
 12. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the body has a total length defined between the toe end and the heel end of the body, the lateral support has a total length defined between the frontmost point and the backmost point of the lateral support along the lengthwise direction of the body, and the total length of the lateral support is about 20-50 percent of the total length of the body.
 13. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the body has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, the lateral support has a total width measured at the widest part of the outsole, and the total width of the lateral support is about 10-28 percent of the total width of the body.
 14. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the lateral support protrudes toward a ground plane where the body is designed to be in direct contact.
 15. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the lateral support is positioned to restrain the body from being laterally turned over an angle range from −3° to +6°.
 16. The outsole of claim 10, wherein the body is full-toe or split-toe.
 17. A stabilizer boot comprising: the outsole of claim 10; a vamp combined with the outsole to enclose at least a part of the foot of a wearer.
 18. The stabilizer boot of claim 17, further comprising: a shoe tube combined with the vamp to enclose at least a part of the ankle of the wearer. 